Parachute and State Farm Canada Partner for Vision Zero

Committed to reducing transport-related deaths and injuries to zero

TORONTO, February 21, 2017 – Transport-related incidents remain one of the leading causes of injury and death in Canada. Parachute is committed to reducing these incidents to zero by adopting strategies first introduced in Sweden as Vision Zero.

To help reach our goals, Parachute is pleased to announce its renewed partnership with State Farm Canada. A founding sponsor of Parachute, State Farm was instrumental in the development and implementation of National Teen Driver Safety Week. In partnership with State Farm, Parachute is excited to provide thought leadership, generate awareness and momentum, accelerate policy change and build community capacity around Vision Zero in Canada.

“Thanks to the support of State Farm, Parachute has the means to create a network that brings together Vision Zero players from across Canada,” says Pamela Fuselli, Parachute Interim CEO. “We are pleased to be working with State Farm to help facilitate connections between stakeholders, ensuring the most current evidence in road safety is shared with the Network and raising awareness about Vision Zero through a variety of actions.”

Vision Zero is a multi-national traffic safety initiative, which was founded in Sweden in the late 1990s, and is based on the philosophy that no one should be killed or seriously injured within the road transport system. Parachute subscribes to the main goal of Vision Zero, which is to achieve zero fatalities or serious injuries on the road. In Canada, the Network powered by Parachute, will work to lead real change to improve safety for all road users including pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

"In 2014, Canadian insurance companies paid out over $15 billion in auto insurance claims, but the costs associated with the loss of life and severe injury, can never be tabulated," says Zac Stevenson, Public Relations Advisor, State Farm Canada. "We are proud to support Parachute and look forward to the Vision Zero initiative that save lives and prevent injury across the country."

How can you help make Vision Zero a reality? Donate now to support Parachute's efforts to impact road safety and stop preventable injuries and deaths.

About Parachute

Parachute is a national charity helping Canadians stop the clock on preventable injuries. The injury impact is staggering. Preventable injuries are the #1 killer of children. They cost the Canadian economy $27B a year, and worst of all, one child dies every nine hours. Through education, knowledge and empowerment, Parachute is working to save lives and create an injury-free Canada. For information, visit us at parachutecanada.org, follow us on Twitter, or join us on Facebook.

About State Farm

In January 2015, State Farm’s Canadian operations were purchased by Desjardins Group, the leading cooperative financial group in Canada and among the three largest P&C insurance providers in Canada. With its 500 dedicated agents and 1700 employees, the State Farm division provides insurance and financial services products including mutual funds, life insurance, vehicle loans, critical illness, disability, home and auto insurance to customers in Ontario, Alberta and New Brunswick. For more information, visithttps://www.statefarm.ca, join us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.